DERBYSHIRE: New helmet safety ratings announced

The new ratings take the total number of motorcycle helmets to have been rated by the government to 300.

Partnership chairman Mike Ashworth said: “The SHARP helmet safety scheme is good news for motorcyclists.

“A well fitted helmet with a high rating will provide you with the best possible protection in the event of a crash so it’s worth checking the advice on the website before you buy.”

Mike added: “The SHARP tests - which award ratings of between one and five stars - show that the safety performance of helmets can vary by as much as 70 per cent.

“Helmets across a wide price range score highly so all riders should be able to find a high performing helmet at a price they want to pay.”

All helmets must meet minimum legal safety standards but the SHARP scheme uses a wider range of tests to provide riders with more information on how much protection a helmet can provide in a crash.

The SHARP website can be found at www.harp.direct.gov.uk.